It was back in 2005 that 22-year-old Kevin Berthia decided to succumb to his battle with depression due to a substantial medical debt. He headed to the Golden Gate Bridge “with the intention to jump.”
Over the years the one-mile suspension Bridge connecting San Francisco to Marin County had been infamous for its number of suicides. According to Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District, in the past 20 years an average of 30 people died leaping from the bridge annually. According to ATI, “Since its construction finished in 1937, Golden Gate Bridge has been the site of more than 1,800 suicides.”
But Kevin was not one of the statistics. For little did he know that his plan would be thwarted thanks to California Highway Patrolman Kevin Briggs (aka “Guardian of the Golden Gate”), whose “efforts had prevented more than 200 suicides from the bridge.”
In addition to the moment of Berthia’s survival being captured on photographs and shared globally, Dallas-based Fotolanthropy is producing a feature documentary, “92 Minutes,” about the event.
Since that encounter on the Bridge, the Kevins reconnected at an event in 2013 and have become “close friends.”
Grant Halliburton Foundation‘s 2024 Beacon Of Hope Luncheon Co-Chairs Natalie Hatchett and Courtney Hubbard, Vice-Chairs Chris and Brent Bolding and Founding Luncheon Chair Barb Farmer have arranged to have the two Kevins as the keynote speakers on Friday, April 19, at the Omni Dallas Hotel.
This year’s presenting sponsor will be Emily Lewis.
Sponsorships starting at $600 are now available and individual tickets will be available in February.
As for the Bridge … the installation of a $224M, stainless-steel-mesh, safety net has just been completed along the sides of the 1.7-mile suspension bridge with the hope of deterring future suicides.
* Photo courtesy of Fotolanthropy